New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know:
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- A new restaurant called Kool Runnins Jamaican Cuisine (instagram) has opened for business in South Paris, Maine. Chef/owner Walton Wray is serving a menu that includes ox tail, jerk chicken and pork, curry goat and sweet potato pudding. Kool Runnins is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am – 9 pm.
- The Sedgley Place (website, facebook, instagram) in Greene is new ownership. Ali Desjardin plans on continuing the 5-course menu and has launched a new brunch service. This winter Desjardin plans to add new dinner hours on Mondays and Wednesdays.
- Carolina and Luis Tovar are the new owners of Pacifico (website, facebook, instagram) in Saco. The Tovars have been working at Pacifico for two years and purchased the restaurant from Carlos Guzman and Alejandra Herrera who launched Pacifico on November 28, 2020. The Tovars plan to maintain what has made Pacifico a success as “vibrant, welcoming space that celebrates Latin flavors and culture.” They’re planning some new concepts for the menu and look forward to developing partnerships with other local businesses. This Monday they’ll be holding a cocktail event “featuring spooky cocktails from local bartender Jordan Jones.” Guzman and Herrera will continue to own and operate their two other restaurants, the Quiero Cafes in Portland and Saco.
- Blue Ox Malthouse (website, facebook, instagram) celebrated the grand opening of their new facility in Lisbon Falls last week. The new building has tripled their floor malting space and quadrupled their processing capacity. Blue Ox was launched in April 2013 by Joel Alex.
- Stacks Pancake Company is working to open a second location at 183 US Route 1 in Scarborough. The Papanikoleau family opened the original Stacks on Riverside in July 2021.
- The owners of Vickie’s Veggie Table have announced they’ll be closing their Biddeford cafe. Their last day in business will be this Monday, October 28th. Their statement read in part, “we are incredibly grateful for the two years you have all given us. Vickie’s Veggie Table has been such an incredible experience for both of us and we are so happy that we were able to bring downtown Biddeford some healthy vegan options. We hope that we’ve helped inspire Biddeford to open up more vegetarian, vegan, and healthier spots so that our community can grow in a positive way. We also hope we’ve inspired you to cook some yummy vegan food at home!” They plan to write a Vickie’s Veggie Table cookbook.
- The Midcoast Villager has published an article about Concepta Jones and her business Concepta’s Studio (website, instagram). Jones operates a self service roadside bakery and sells a selection of South African Indian spice blends. The article reports, “Jones plans to sell her baked goods and other dishes at the Belfast Farmers’ Market starting in January. She is planning a menu built around her signature curries, including curry pies and curry wrapped in roti, the flaky Indian flatbread.”
- Khristine and Zac Leeman have leased the former Joshua’s space on Maine Street in Brunswick where they plan to open a new restaurant. The Harpswell Anchor report the menu will include, “[t]avern-style food, including burgers and sandwiches, will be served, as well as entrees, including gluten-free and vegetarian options.” The Leemans opened Sundrenched, on Bailey Island in 2022, and Linden + Front in Bath this past February.
- The Maine Bagel has announced their last day in business will be November 27th. They’ve been located on Route One in Scarborough for close to two decades. A statement posted online (facebook, instagram) reads in part, “Due to circumstances beyond our control we are obligated to vacate the building that has given our family so many wonderful memories. We have been blessed with employees and customers that have allowed our dream to come to fruition. We set out with a vision to provide the community with a bagel shop that prided itself on service, quality, and value. We believe we achieved this and in the process gained many friendships that we will cherish forever.”
- The Bangor Daily News and Midcoast Villager report that a new owner, Steve Ashey, has taken over the Chocolate Drop Candy Shop (website, facebook, instagram) in Belfast. Ashey hopes to relaunch the candy shop on November 30th. The previous owners had closed the shop in September after 15 years in business.
- Nina June owner Sara Jenkins has won an award from Montagna Cortonese for the 2023 vintage of the olive oil she produces in Italy.
- Meridians restaurant in Fairfield has permanently closed. The restaurant had initially shut down in January and reopened back in June.
For a statewide guide to eating and drinking see the Maine Food Map—a growing list of coffee shops, bars, restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and other food and dining businesses in all of Maine’s 16 counties.
